
 
19n
 
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
 
Indicator and warning lamps
 
Yellow: check as soon as possible
 
Antilock Brake System (ABS) 
 
l
 
ABS has been deactivated in 
response to system malfunction. 
Conventional braking performance 
remains available with no loss of effi-
ciency. Please have the system 
inspected by your BMW center.
For additional information refer to 
page 105
ABS warning lamp for Canadian 
models.
Engine oil level
Comes on while driving: the 
engine oil level has fallen to the 
absolute minimum; refill as soon as 
possible. Do not drive more than 
approx. 30 miles (50 km) until you do.
For additional information refer to 
page 115
Engine oil level
Comes on after the engine has 
been switched off: add engine 
oil at the earliest opportunity (next time 
you stop to refuel). For additional infor-
mation refer to page 115
Brake pads 
 
l
 
Have the brake pads checked.
For additional information refer 
to page 106
 
Tire Pressure Monitor (RDC)/Flat 
Tire Monitor 
 
l
 
Check tire inflation pressures, 
refer to pages 24, 78, 80
Automatic Stability Control plus 
Traction (ASC+T)/Dynamic 
Stability Control (DSC)
 
  
l
 
Indicator lamp flashes: 
The system is actively regulating drive 
torque and braking force. 
The indicator lamp stays lit:
ASC+T has been switched off with the 
button or it is defective or, the DSC has 
been switched off, ADB is operational.
Please contact the nearest BMW center 
in case of a malfunction. 
For additional details refer to informa-
tion beginning on page 71
BMW 325xi:
DSC has been switched off manually or 
there is a system malfunction. ADB-X is 
operational in its standby mode. If the 
warning lamp fails to go out when you 
press the DSC button again, this indi-
cates a system malfunction affecting 
both DSC and ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. 
For additional information refer to 
page 75
 
Indicator lamp for Automatic 
Stability Control plus Traction 
(ASC+T)/Dynamic Stability 
Control (DSC) and brake 
warning lamp 
 
l
 
The indicator lamps remain on:
The DSC
 
  
and ADB/DBC have been 
switched off with the button or are 
defective.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. For additional information refer 
to page 73
BMW 325xi:
DSC and ADB-X system malfunction. 
There is no provision for switching off 
ADB-X.
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. For additional information refer 
to page 75
DSC and ADB indicator and 
warning lamps for Canadian 
models.
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) 
 
l
 
Malfunction in DBC system. 
Conventional braking efficiency 
is available and unrestricted.
Have the system repaired at your BMW 
center as soon as possible. For addi-
tional information refer to page 74 

74n
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC)
* Ð BMW 325i
Switch the DSC and ADB offHold the DSC button down for at least 
3  seconds. The indicator and the yellow 
brake warning lamps will remain on 
continuously.
The systems for enhancing stability and 
traction are deactivated, and there is no 
active braking intervention or torque 
control.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC 
switched on whenever possible.<
Switch DSC and ADB back onPress the button again; the indicator 
lamps will go out
The laws of physics cannot be 
repealed, even with DSC. It will 
always be the driver's responsibility to 
drive in a manner that matches road 
conditions. This is why you should not 
use the additional safety margin the 
system provides as an excuse to take 
risks.
When ADB is in its standby mode, DSC 
is deactivated; DSC does not intervene 
to enhance vehicle stability under these 
conditions.
Do not make any modifications to the 
DSC system. Allow only authorized 
technicians to perform service proce-
dures on the DSC.<
Dynamic Brake Control (DBC)DBC is an integral component of the 
DSC system.
The system responds to sudden, high-
intensity applications of force to the 
brake pedal by automatically braking 
the vehicle with maximum boost to 
achieve the shortest-possible braking 
distances during "panic stops". This 
system exploits all the benefits of ABS.
Do not reduce the pressure exerted 
against the brake pedal until the 
braking maneuver has been completed. 
DBC is deactivated when you release 
the brake pedal. 

75n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) Ð BMW 325xiThe conceptDSC maintains vehicle stability, even in 
critical driving situations.
The system optimizes vehicle stability 
during acceleration and when starting 
from a full stop, as well as optimizing 
traction. In addition, it recognizes 
unstable vehicle conditions, such as 
under- or oversteering, and, as far as is 
possible within the laws of physics, 
helps keeping the vehicle on a steady 
course by reducing the engine speed 
and brake applications to the individual 
wheels.
DSC is operational every time you start 
the engine. DSC includes the functions 
of ADB-X and CBC.
The Automatic Differential Brake 
(ADB-X) enhances traction in critical 
situations (such as those encountered 
on snow-covered roads) by using 
selective braking intervention to replace 
the limited-slip functions executed by 
the differential and transfer case in 
conventional drivetrains.
Indicator lamp
The indicator lamp in the instru-
ment cluster will go out shortly 
after the ignition has been 
switched on, refer to pages 18, 19.
The indicator lamp flashes:
DSC controls the drive and braking 
forces. 
The indicator lamp stays lit: 
DSC has been switched off via the 
button; ADB-X is operational.
ADB-X control intervention is not indi-
cated.
If the indicator lamp fails to go out 
when you press the DSC button, 
this indicates a malfunction in the DSC 
and ADB-X systems; the stability 
enhancement functions described on 
the left are no longer available.<
The vehicle will remain completely 
operational, however, without DSC. In 
the event of a malfunction, please 
consult your BMW center, refer to 
pages 18, 19.
To deactivate DSCPress the DSC button briefly, the indi-
cator lamp comes on and remains lit.
DSC is switched off, and ADB-X reverts 
to its maximum torque-transfer mode.
In the following exceptional circum-
stances, it may be effective to deacti-
vate the DSC for a short period:
>When rocking the vehicle or starting 
off in deep snow or on loose surfaces
>When driving with snow chains.
To maintain vehicle stability, 
always drive with the DSC 
switched on whenever possible.< 

132n
Changing a wheel
Only use original BMW full wheel 
covers, otherwise, the trim piece 
may not fit securely. The full wheel 
cover may not be installed on the 
space-saver spare tire, since this could 
damage the cover.<
The vehicle jack is designed for 
changing wheels only. Do not 
attempt to raise another vehicle model 
with it or to raise any load of any kind. 
To do so could cause accidents and 
personal injury.
To ensure continued safety, have the 
tightness of the lug bolts checked with 
a calibrated torque wrench [torque 
specification: 72 lb ft (100 Nm)] at the 
earliest opportunity.<
When storing a wheel in the spare tire 
recess take care to avoid bending the 
threaded rod.
If the original BMW light-alloy wheels 
have been replaced with other light-
alloy wheels, different lug bolts may be 
required.
Replace the defective tire as soon as 
possible and have the new wheel/tire 
balanced.
Driving with the space-saver 
spare tireDrive cautiously. Do not exceed a 
speed of 50 mph (80 km/h).
You can anticipate changes in vehicle 
handling such as delayed braking 
response, longer braking distances and 
sacrifices in roadholding.
The changes in handling characteristics 
will be even more pronounced if winter 
tires are mounted.
Only one space-saver spare tire 
may be mounted at a time. Rein-
stall wheels and tires of the same size 
and specification as soon as possible. 
Maintain correct tire pressures, refer to 
page 24.<
Safety tires
*
Safety tires consist of self-supporting 
tires and special rims. The tire rein-
forcement ensures that the tire retains 
some residual safety in the event of 
pressure drop and driving remains 
possible to a restricted degree. The 
vehicle is equipped with Tire Pressure 
Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor, 
which indicate a flat tire.Flat tireIf there is a tire failure, the red warning 
lamp symbol lights up. A supplemen-
tary gong is also heard.
For additional information on Tire Pres-
sure Monitor (RDC) or Flat Tire Monitor 
refer to page 78 or 80.
Reduce vehicle speed carefully to 
under 50 mph (80 km/h), avoiding hard 
brake applications and steering maneu-
vers.
With the safety tires, you can drive 
another approx. 155 miles (250 km) to 
reach a safe parking location, a service 
station or the nearest BMW center. 
With a low vehicle load, this can also be 
considerably more than 155 miles 
(250 km). 

140n
BMW 325i/325xi
Displacement
Number of cylinders cu. in (cmm) 152.2 (2,494)
6
Maximum output
at engine speed hp (kW)
rpm184 (135)
6,000
Maximum torque
at engine speedlb ft (Nm)
rpm175 (237)
3,500
Compression ratioe
 10.5
Stroke
Borein (mm)
in (mm)2.95 (75)
3.31 (84)
Fuel-injection system Digital electronic engine-management system (DME)
Engine data  

Everything from A to Z
151n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Steering wheel lock55 
Stopping the vehicle56 
Storage compartments92 
Stroke140 
Switching off the engine56 
Symbols8 
Synthetic oils116 T 
Tail lamps 
bulb replacement127 
Tailgate33 
electrical malfunction33 
manual operation33 
remote control 
operation30 
Tank capacity143 
Technical data140 
Technical 
modifications10, 120 
Telephone preparation94 
Temperature display 
outside temperature68 
Temperature gauge 
engine coolant66 Temperature 
layering87, 90 
Temperature 
settings86, 89 
The Automatic Differential 
Brake (ADB-X)75 
Thigh support41 
Third brake light128 
Tilt alarm sensor36 
operation via remote 
control30 
switching off36 
Tire change129 
Tire inflation 
pressures24, 107 
Tire inflation pressures, 
table25 
Tire Pressure Monitor 
(RDC)78, 109, 132 
Tire pressure, indicator78 
Tire pressure, 
monitoring78 
Tire Quality Grading109 
Tire replacement108 
Tire tread107 
wear indicators (TWI)107 Tools124 
Torque140 
Tow fittings135 
Towing the vehicle135 
Trailer weights142 
Transmission57 
Transmitter keys28 
Transporting children 
safely51 
Tread depth, tires107 
Tread wear indicators107 
Trip odometer65 
Turn signal 
indicators20, 60 
Turn signals 
bulb replacement126 
U 
Uniform Tire Quality 
Grading109 
Use antifreeze, radiator117 
V 
Vehicle keys28 
Vehicle Memory54 
Vehicle weight142 
Vehicle, starting55 
Ventilation85, 88 
draft-free87, 90 W
 
Warning lamps17 
Warning messages67 
Warranty and Service Guide 
Booklet (Canadian 
models)119 
Washer fluid, adding114 
Washer reservoir, filling114 
Washing your vehicle, refer 
to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Water on roadways105 
Weights142 
Wheel and tire 
combinations110 
Wheels and tires107 
Windshield washer system 
capacity143 
filling114